Pottstown standoff suspect to get evaluation

NORRISTOWN — A Pottstown man accused of shooting at police during a 12-hour standoff at the Logan Court Apartments in February will undergo a mental health evaluation prior to trial.

Albert J. Dudanowicz Jr., 57, who lived in an apartment at the complex, will be transported by sheriff’s deputies to Montgomery County Emergency Services, located on the grounds of Norristown State Hospital, on April 11 to be evaluated by Dr. Rocio Nell, according to an order filed Thursday by county Judge Thomas C. Branca.

Branca specifically said Nell “shall address the issue of whether or not (Dudanowicz) is competent to participate in the legal proceedings presently pending against (Dudanowicz) and if (Dudanowicz) is criminally responsible for his actions at the time of the offense and if (Dudanowicz) is capable of criminal intent.”

Nell is to then furnish a report regarding the results of the evaluation to defense lawyer Louise M. Petrillo, who requested the evaluation on behalf of Dudanowicz.

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Dudanowicz is currently being held at the county jail in lieu of $2 million bail, awaiting trial on charges of attempted murder, assault of a police officer and related offenses in connection with the alleged Feb. 9 standoff.

Dudanowicz was shot in the arm by a sniper after he allegedly fired five gunshots at police during the standoff which lasted more than 12 hours.

During a preliminary hearing earlier this month, witnesses testified they awakened to the sound of Dudanowicz slamming washer and dryer doors about 6 a.m. and when Dudanowicz didn’t acknowledge requests to be quiet, police were summoned.

Pottstown police officers responded to the disturbance and attempted to make contact with Dudanowicz, but Dudanowicz refused to come to the door, testimony revealed. As police were exiting the apartments, they heard a gunshot.

The ChesMont Emergency Response Team, or CMERT, was called to respond. Authorities alleged CMERT members made multiple attempts to get Dudanowicz to exit the apartment building, including repeated commands over a loud speaker, but Dudanowicz ignored all commands.

All the apartment buildings were evacuated during the standoff. A robotic device from the Montgomery County Bomb Squad equipped with a camera was used to attempt to gain entry to Dudanowicz’s apartment and authorities alleged Dudanowicz fired at the device.

An officer stationed on the third floor of an apartment building across the street from Dudanowicz’s apartment had a view of the sliding glass door to the apartment as well as a view of an armored tactical vehicle called the Bear Cat, which authorities stationed nearby.

The officer heard several gunshots and noted they “were coming directly out at the Bear Cat and the team around it” and he saw someone holding a rifle standing near the screen to Dudanowicz’s apartment, according to testimony. For the protection of the other members there and for fear they would be severely injured or killed, the officer fired one shot from his weapon, striking Dudanowicz, according to authorities.

That shot, investigators and prosecutors alleged, likely saved lives. The shot not only injured Dudanowicz, but also damaged the bolt action rifle Dudanowicz was allegedly pointing at police officers.

Officials moved in and took Dudanowicz into custody around 7:30 p.m.

Ballistics experts alleged two weapons were recovered from the scene, one of them the damaged .375-caliber bolt action rifle, typically used to hunt large game animals, and the other a .50-caliber revolver, according to court documents. The evidence at the scene indicated the .50-caliber weapon had been fired from inside Dudanowicz’s apartment, according to court documents. Additionally, evidence indicated several bullet strikes from the weapon had hit the armored vehicle and a brick wall the armored vehicle was parked by during the standoff, authorities alleged.

Authorities alleged the gunshot that entered a property manager’s door had been fired from Dudanowicz’s apartment.

Authorities said no officers or members of the public were struck by the gunfire when Dudanowicz allegedly fired the shots from his apartment.

About the Author

Carl Hessler Jr. writes about crime and justice at the Montgomery County Courthouse for The Mercury and 21st Century Media Newspaper’s Greater Philadelphia area publications. A native of Reading, he studied at Penn State University and Kutztown University before graduating from Alvernia University with a degree in communications. He is a recipient of a National Headliner Award and has been honored for his writing by the Keystone Press Association, Philadelphia Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists and the Associated Press Managing Editors of Pennsylvania. Reach the author at chessler@pottsmerc.com
or follow Carl on Twitter: @MontcoCourtNews.